MediaTek chip guide: All you need to know about MediaTek processors

Taiwan-based MediaTek traditionally plays second fiddle to silicon rival Qualcomm, but the company’s mobile chips are in scores of phones around the world. Figuring out the naming conventions and capabilities of these MediaTek processors can be a little daunting, though.

Don’t fret, as our MediaTek chipset guide tries to break things down for you. Read on for all the information you’ll need on MediaTek processors.

Flagship MediaTek 5G chipsets

MediaTek’s latest high-end 5G processors are the Dimensity 9000 and Dimensity 9000 Plus, introduced in 2022. These are the company’s first chipsets in ages specifically designed to take the fight to Qualcomm’s best in the premium flagship space. Expect a 4nm TSMC design, a powerful octacore CPU (one Cortex-X2, three Cortex-A710, and four Cortex-A510), and a beefy Mali-G710 MC10 GPU.

Other notable features include a sub-6GHz modem topping out at 7Gbps (no mmWave though), 144Hz refresh rate at QHD+ resolutions, 180Hz at FHD+ resolutions, Bluetooth 5.3, and Wi-Fi 6E. MediaTek’s latest flagship family also serves up 320MP single-camera support, AV1 video decoding capabilities, 8K/24fps video recording, and simultaneous triple camera HDR recording. The Dimensity 9000 Plus differs by offering a slightly higher CPU clock speed (from 3.05GHz to 3.2GHz) and a 5% GPU speed boost.

MediaTek’s previous high-end silicon was the Dimensity 1200 and Dimensity 1100, announced in January 2021. The two SoCs have several features in common, such as a similar octacore CPU (four Cortex-A78 and four Cortex-A55), the same GPU (Mali-G77 MP9), a 6nm manufacturing process, and the Helio M70 modem with sub-6GHz 5G support.

The Dimensity 1200 and Dimensity 1100 were very capable chipsets for the time, but they couldn’t rival Qualcomm’s best for the most part. That means no 8K recording, no beastly Cortex-X CPU core, and a GPU that lagged behind the Snapdragon silicon.

High-end Dimensity processors haven’t seen the same level of adoption as Qualcomm’s flagship processors, and this continues to be the case for the Dimensity 9000 series. It’s only arrived inside a few phones, such as the Vivo X80, Oppo Find X5 Pro Dimensity Edition, and Honor 70 Pro Plus. That’s a shame as benchmarks showed the 2022 lineup is comparable to (if not slightly better than) the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.

Notable flagship phones:

• Honor 70 Pro Plus
• Oppo Find X5 Pro Dimensity Edition
• Redmi K50 Pro
• Vivo X80

Mid-range MediaTek 5G chipsets

MediaTek’s best mid-range processors are the Dimensity 8000 and Dimensity 8100. The company says it wanted to take on the Snapdragon 870 and Snapdragon 888 series and that definitely seems to be the case.

The two chipsets share features like a 5nm TSMC design, beefy octacore CPU (four Cortex-A78 and four Cortex-A55), a Mali-G610 MC6 GPU, and a tri-core fifth-generation APU. You’re also getting Bluetooth 5.3, 200MP single camera support, 168Hz refresh rate at FHD+ resolution (or 120Hz at QHD+), Wi-Fi 6E, and AV1 support.

The Dimensity 8100 stands out from the Dimensity 8000 thanks to higher clock speeds for the heavyweight cores (from 2.75GHz to 2.85GHz), as well as 10% higher clock speeds for the GPU and APU. Either way, our Oppo Reno 8 Pro and OnePlus 10R reviews show that the Dimensity 8100 delivers performance that’s comparable to last year’s best flagship silicon.

Moving down a notch, MediaTek also has the Dimensity 1300 on offer. This processor is basically a rebadged version of the Dimensity 1200 chipset, which was itself essentially a renamed Dimensity 1000. So expect familiar trappings like the 6nm TSMC design, octa-core CPU (four Cortex-A78 and four Cortex-A55), and a Mali-G77 MC9 GPU.

The mid-range segment also plays host to MediaTek’s first processor with mmWave 5G support, namely the Dimensity 1050. Aside from the landmark introduction of mmWave, this is a budget-tier processor through and through. That means a 6nm design, capable but unimpressive CPU (two Cortex-A78 and six Cortex-A55), and a Mali-G610 MC3 GPU. Other notable features include a third-generation APU for machine learning, 4K/30fps video recording, 108MP single-camera support, and 120Hz maximum refresh rate at FHD+.

MediaTek also has a host of older budget 5G silicon in its portfolio. These chips (such as the Dimensity 810, Dimensity 900, and Dimensity 920) generally offer 2+6 core CPU layouts, older mid-tier Arm GPUs, 5G+5G dual-SIM support, and top out at 4K video recording.

MediaTek has plenty more budget-tier Dimensity chipsets on offer, such as the Dimensity 700, Dimensity 720, and Dimensity 800U. But these are broadly equivalent to Qualcomm chips like the Snapdragon 480 and Snapdragon 690.

The mid-range and budget Dimensity processors haven’t landed in as many high-profile phones as Qualcomm’s mid-range 5G silicon. But it’s still appeared in a ton of phones, and MediaTek’s market share has markedly increased in the US as a result.

Notable phones:

• Honor 70 Pro
• Motorola Edge 2022
• OnePlus 10R
• Oppo Reno 8 Pro
• Poco X4 GT
• Samsung Galaxy A13 5G

Mid-range MediaTek 4G chips

MediaTek’s is a major player in mid-range and low-end segments. So it’s no surprise to see it has the Helio G series of 4G chipsets as well.

The latest chipset in the series is the Helio G99, revealed in mid-2022, and it’s almost identical to the previous Helio G96. That means an octa-core CPU (two Cortex-A76 and six Cortex-A55), a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, 120Hz refresh rate, 108MP camera support, and Bluetooth 5.2 capabilities. However, the big difference between the two chipsets is that the G99 offers a 6nm design for improved efficiency versus the G96’s ageing 12nm design.

Prior to the G96 and G99 we had the Helio G95. This chipset, which was announced back in 2020, offers the same octa-core CPU setup but has an older Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. Other notable specs include a 12nm design, 108MP single camera support, and Bluetooth 5.2.

The Helio G series is available inside phones from Poco, Realme, Xiaomi, and more. But it’s slowly been making way for budget-tier Dimensity chipsets as the transition to 5G continues.

Notable phones:

• Poco M4 Pro 4G
• Realme 8
• Realme Narzo 50
• Redmi Note 10S

MediaTek’s low-end processors

MediaTek has a reputation for delivering low-end chips for entry-level phones. It’s slowed down in this regard over the years in favor of the mid-range segment, but it still has a notable presence at the ~$100 tier.

The firm’s low-end offerings are characterized by lightweight Cortex-A53 CPU cores only (no heavy-lifting cores here), basic graphical capabilities, and 60Hz refresh rate support at best. Don’t expect to see 4K recording or 5G here either.

MediaTek’s most recent low-end chips are the Helio G35 and G25. Despite being part of the gaming-focused G series, these aren’t suitable for anything more than extremely lightweight 3D and 2D games. The firm also has a few near-identical, older chips that still see occasional adoption, namely the Helio P35, Helio P22, and Helio A25.

All of these processors sport octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU cores, low-end PowerVR GE8320 graphics, and older 12nm designs. Camera capabilities are pretty modest too, with none of the chipsets supporting more than 25MP shooters at best (never mind 48MP). Don’t expect 4K recording here either.

Notable phones:

• Redmi 9A
• Motorola Moto G Pure
• Oppo A57 4G
• Poco C31
• Nokia G20

That’s about it for our MediaTek chipset guide! We’ll be updating this article periodically to add new chipsets from the Taiwanese silicon designer.